Walk high enough into Nepal's Himalayan forests in spring, and you may catch a flash of metallic green and copper darting across a grassy slope. That flash is the Danphe — the Himalayan Monal — Nepal's national bird, and one of the most visually striking pheasants in the world.
Appearance: A Bird of Two Very Different Colours
The Himalayan Monal shows one of the most dramatic examples of sexual dimorphism among Himalayan birds — the male and female look almost like different species entirely.
Male
Iridescent metallic green crest, coppery back and neck, blue-purple wings, and a prominent white rump most visible in flight. Colours visibly shift depending on the angle of light.
Female
Mottled brown plumage with a white throat patch — muted colouring that camouflages her while nesting and caring for chicks on the forest floor.
The male's crest and colours are so prized that poaching for feathers, historically used as symbols of authority, remains one of the species' biggest threats.
Source: Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal
Habitat and Seasonal Movement
The Danphe lives in upper temperate oak-conifer forest and alpine meadow across the Himalaya, most commonly between about 2,700 and 3,700 metres, with its full range extending from roughly 2,000 to 4,500 metres. Like many high-altitude birds, it doesn't stay at one elevation year-round — it migrates seasonally up and down the mountain.
Seasonal elevation range
In winter, deep snow pushes the birds down into lower rhododendron and conifer forest; by summer they return to open grassy slopes and cliffs near the tree line to breed.
Diet and Behaviour
Danphe are strong diggers, using their curved bills to excavate up to 25 cm into soil and snow in search of tubers, roots, seeds, shoots and invertebrates. They are largely ground-dwelling, preferring to run rather than fly from danger, though they can make short, powerful downhill flights when startled.
Culture and Symbolism
The Danphe holds a warm place in Nepali culture — it appears frequently in Nepali folk songs, traditional art and provincial imagery, and sighting one in the wild is often regarded as a good omen. Its vivid colours have long made it an informal symbol of the beauty of Nepal's high country.
Other Himalayan Pheasants of Nepal
| Nepali name | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalij | Lophura leucomelanos | Common in mid-hill forest, widespread |
| Cheer pheasant | Catreus wallichii | Grassy, steep hillsides; vulnerable |
| Blood pheasant | Ithaginis cruentus | High-altitude conifer & rhododendron forest |
| Satyr tragopan | Tragopan satyra | Dense forest, striking red male plumage |
✦ Did you know?
- The male Danphe's crest and colours shift so much with the light that it's sometimes called "the strolling rainbow."
- The species' scientific name honours Lady Mary Impey, a keen 18th-century ornithologist.
- A Danphe can dig up to 25 centimetres into the ground or snow while foraging for food.
Conservation Status
The Himalayan Monal is listed as Least Concern on the global IUCN Red List, meaning it isn't considered at imminent risk of extinction — but its population trend is officially decreasing. The main threats are poaching, driven largely by demand for the male's crest feathers, and habitat disturbance from infrastructure and hydropower development in parts of its range. In Nepal, the species is legally protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, and maintains stable populations within protected areas such as Sagarmatha, Langtang and Annapurna Conservation Area.
Source: IUCN Red List; Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal
Where to See It
- Sagarmatha National Park — Everest region forest and alpine zones.
- Langtang National Park — accessible rhododendron and oak forest habitat.
- Annapurna Conservation Area — one of the more reliable places to spot Danphe.
- Rara National Park — remote far-western habitat with lower visitor traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national bird of Nepal?
The Danphe, also called the Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), is the national bird of Nepal.
Why is the Danphe important in Nepal?
The Danphe is admired for its iridescent plumage and is considered a symbol of peace and natural beauty in Nepal, often referenced in folk songs and traditional art.
What does a Himalayan Monal look like?
The male has iridescent metallic green, blue, copper and purple plumage with a prominent white rump, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage while nesting.
Where does the Danphe live in Nepal?
It lives in Himalayan oak-conifer forests and alpine meadows, typically between about 2,400 and 4,500 metres in summer, descending to around 2,000 metres in winter.
Is the national bird of Nepal endangered?
Globally the Himalayan Monal is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is decreasing due to poaching and habitat loss, and it is protected under Nepal's National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.